The Marine Hospital Service was created
On Jul. 16, 1798, the Marine Hospital Service, predecessor to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was established…
Thomas Malthus published the “Principle of Population”
In 1798, Thomas Malthus published “Principle of Population,” arguing that the world’s population will increase faster than the…
Scientist and physician Edward Jenner coined the word virus
In 1798, English scientist and physician Edward Jenner coined the word virus to describe the matter that produces…
Edward Jenner published his work on the development of a vaccination
In 1798, Edward Jenner published his work on the development of a vaccination that would protect against smallpox….
English scientist and physician Edward Jenner inoculated 8-year old James Phipps against smallpox
On May 14, 1796, English scientist and physician Edward Jenner inoculated 8-year old James Phipps with the world’s…
Thomas Jefferson praised the cultivation of plant, especially bread grain
In 1795, Thomas Jefferson wrote: “the greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add an…
Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, considered the “Father of modern chemistry” was guillotined
On May 8, 1794, Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, considered the “Father of modern chemistry” was guillotined during the French…
Erasmus Darwin published “Zoonomia; or the Laws of Organic Life”
In 1794, Erasmus Darwin, an English physician, published “Zoonomia; or the Laws of Organic Life” which postulated early…
Yellow fever killed more than 5,000 people in Philadelphia
On Aug. 1, 1793, it was reported that a fever, now known as ‘Yellow Fever’ killed more than…
A yellow fever epidemic struck Philadelphia (then Capital of the U.S.)
In 1793, after 31 years of absence a yellow fever epidemic struck Philadelphia killing thousands of city residents…
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The first U.S. patent was signed by President George Washington
On Jul. 31, 1790, the inventor Samuel Hopkins was awarded the first U.S. patent for a new method…
The Medical Society of South Carolina was founded
On Dec. 24, 1789, the Medical Society of South Carolina was founded in Charleston on Christmas Eve by…
The University of North Carolina was founded
On Dec. 11, 1789, the University of North Carolina (UNC) was founded. The UNC was the first public…
Caspar Wistar began his medical practice
In 1787, Caspar Wistar, M.D., began his medical practice in Philadelphia. Dr. Wistar was the author of the…
The first class graduated from the Massachusetts Medical College of Harvard University
In 1788, The first class graduated from the Massachusetts Medical College of Harvard University.
Abraham Baldwin was selected president of the University of Georgia
On Feb. 13, 1786, first meeting of the University of Georgia board of trustees was held and Abraham…
The University of Georgia was incorporated
On Jan. 27, 1785, the University of Georgia was incorporated by the Georgia General Assembly, making it the…
Antoine Lavoisier and Pierre-Simon Laplace discovered that animals take in oxygen and exhale CO2
In 1784, Frenchman Antoine Lavoisier the “Father of modern chemistry” and Pierre-Simon Laplace discovered that animals take in…
The Massachusetts Medical College of Harvard University was founded
On Sept. 19, 1782, the Harvard Medical School was founded by Dr. John Warren a graduate of Harvard…
The Massachusetts Medical Society was founded
On Nov. 1, 1781, the Massachusetts Medical Society was established, and its charter was signed by Samuel Adams,…
George Washington mandated Smallpox inoculation for all Continental soldiers
In 1777, George Washington mandated inoculation for all Continental soldiers against smallpox which had impacted the Continental Army…
Dartmouth College was founded
On Dec. 13, 1769, the Royal Governor of New Hampshire issued a royal charter in the name of…
The College of Philadelphia was founded
In 1765, The College of Philadelphia, now Pennsylvania School of Medicine, opened its doors becoming the first and…
Botanist Joseph Koelreuter reported successful crossbreeding of crop plants
In 1761, German botanist Joseph Koelreuter reported successful crossbreeding of crop plants in different species.
Physician John Hill established the connection between tobacco and cancer
In 1761, physician John Hill confirmed the role of local irritation and inflammation in causation of cancer. In…
Physician James Lind of the British Royal Navy publishes “A Treatise on the Scurvy”
In 1753, Scottish physician James Lind of the British Royal Navy published “A Treatise on the Scurvy” in…
Pennsylvania Hospital opens as nation’s first hospital
In 1751, Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first hospital opened at the University of Pennsylvania.
The University of Pennsylvania was founded
In 1749 in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin presented his vision of a school in a pamphlet titled Proposals for…
James Lind started his famous scurvy clinical trial
On May 20, 1747, James Lind of the British Royal Navy started his famous scurvy clinical trial. In…
King Gustav III of Sweden conducted coffee trial
Beginning in 1746, King Gustav III of Sweden, who viewed coffee consumption as a threat to the public…